After an intense morning on the pitch, Rikuo felt his body starting to complain.
But he knew the real work wasn't over yet.
Satô Takumi, the head coach, told the players to get ready for the physical session.
Rikuo entered the club's gym and stood there in shock.
The facilities were incredible: free weights, modern machines, treadmills, recovery areas…
A true professional center, worthy of the biggest clubs in the world.
The first part of the session was tough:
Repeated sprints on the outdoor field.
Strength work with machines and free weights.
Coordination and agility exercises.
Rikuo felt every muscle working, every fiber burning.
After two years away from such intense training, the fatigue built up quickly.
Yet, deep inside, he felt something like a rebirth a strange pleasure in pushing his limits again.
After the physical session, Rivelinho walked over to Rikuo and Takuma with a warm smile.
"Follow me, kids," he said.
"I'll show you the whole center. I'll be your guide today not bad, right? Hahaha."
The Brazilian first took them to the medical staff area.
"These are the men and women who allow us to keep playing at a high level," he explained.
"I'm 34 years old, and if I can still play football like this… it's thanks to them.
They take care of us, heal us, prepare us, and watch over us.
Never forget, behind what you see on the pitch, there's a whole team working in the shadows."
Rikuo looked at the doctors, physios, and fitness staff with admiration.
Every detail of the center was designed to maximize performance and recovery.
Rivelinho continued the tour, showing them the treatment rooms, recovery zones, pools, video rooms for tactical analysis, and even a lab to monitor players' physical data.
"Everything here exists to help you reach your maximum potential," he said.
"Enjoy it, learn, and respect what you have here.
Never neglect work. Talent without hard work is nothing and the opposite is true too.
Haha, a very great football player once told me that when I was playing in Europe."
"Oh really? Who?" Rikuo and Takuma asked at the same time.
"You want to know?" Rivelinho said with a smile.
"It was Cristiano Ronaldo himself."
"Wow… you played with Ronaldo?" Rikuo said, shocked.
"You're so lucky he's been one of my idols since I was a kid."
"For real!" Takuma added.
"I fell in love with football because of players like him."
Both of them were extremely excited to hear this story.
"I'll introduce you to him someday," Rivelinho said.
"We still talk sometimes. He's an incredible guy."
"We can't wait! Thank you, Rivelinho obrigado!" they replied.
"No problem, kids. Anyway, back to business the tour is over.
If you have questions in the future, don't hesitate.
We old guys are here to help, hahaha."
The day at the club ended in the late afternoon.
Rikuo headed back home.
Each step felt heavier than the last, yet his mind was racing.
He had discovered the true intensity of professional football:
the physical demands, the technique, the preparation, and the support around the pros.
The fatigue was extreme normal after exercises he hadn't done in two years.
But every pain, every burning muscle reminded him that his dream was finally taking shape.
As he lay down on his bed, eyes half-closed, he thought back on his first full day:
The pros had accepted him.
He had faced their level and held his ground.
He had discovered a world of precision, discipline, and passion.
A smile slowly appeared on Rikuo's face.
He knew this was only the beginning.
Tomorrow, he would meet with a players' agency to finalize the details
-Salary
-Contract
-Status
- And more..
with the club's management.